Noahs Ark Animal Workshop- Birthday party?

[puffkin]

I came across the Noah's Ark animal workshops online while trying to find ideas for my son's upcoming 4th birthday party. Has anyone done this before and what were your experiences? I never heard of this company but like that they will come to you. Pricing wise it is pretty close to what a Chuck Cheese type party will cost, plus the kids would have a cool thing to take home.

 

[puffkin]

Anyone

 

[dancin'girl]

My children were invited to one of these parties and to be honest, I wasn't that impressed. We went to the birthday girl's home and the kids all sat at the table. They were given their animals to stuff, similar to Build-a-Bear. They put in a heart and then velcro-ed the backs closed. When they were done, the woman doing the presentation packed up and left. That was it! The birthday child's mom ended up doing games and cake on her own. The whole Noah's Workshop part took maybe 20 minutes! You would definitely need to plan other activities to keep the kids occupied. Also, my DD has asthma and she started wheezing after playing with the animal. I pulled out all the fiber-fill and washed the animal in the washing machine, then I re-filled it with new fiber-fill. I don't know where the stuff was stored before it was given to DD, but it may have been in a basement or garage because it smelled a little musty.
I wouldn't call Noah's Workshop a "party", it was more of an "activity". It did make for a nice party favor, but I think you can probably buy those build-a-bear kits cheaper and do them on your own.

This set is $14.99, but it comes with an outfit. I think that price is in the same range as the Noah's Workshop.
http://www.amazon.com/Colorbok-Buil...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1263313674&sr=1-2
This one is a monkey and they also have a pirate puppy.
http://www.amazon.com/Colorbok-Buil...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1263314271&sr=1-3

Good Luck with your decision!

 

[puffkin]

My children were invited to one of these parties and to be honest, I wasn't that impressed. We went to the birthday girl's home and the kids all sat at the table. They were given their animals to stuff, similar to Build-a-Bear. They put in a heart and then velcro-ed the backs closed. When they were done, the woman doing the presentation packed up and left. That was it! The birthday child's mom ended up doing games and cake on her own. The whole Noah's Workshop part took maybe 20 minutes! You would definitely need to plan other activities to keep the kids occupied. Also, my DD has asthma and she started wheezing after playing with the animal. I pulled out all the fiber-fill and washed the animal in the washing machine, then I re-filled it with new fiber-fill. I don't know where the stuff was stored before it was given to DD, but it may have been in a basement or garage because it smelled a little musty.
I wouldn't call Noah's Workshop a "party", it was more of an "activity". It did make for a nice party favor, but I think you can probably buy those build-a-bear kits cheaper and do them on your own.

This set is $14.99, but it comes with an outfit. I think that price is in the same range as the Noah's Workshop.
http://www.amazon.com/Colorbok-Buil...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1263313674&sr=1-2
This one is a monkey and they also have a pirate puppy.
http://www.amazon.com/Colorbok-Buil...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1263314271&sr=1-3

Good Luck with your decision!

Thank you so much for the info! I appreciate the first hand experience.

I spoke last night with the girl and she seemed very enthusiastic about doing the party. She said the workshop would last about an hour and that she does activities with the kids besides just stuffing the bear. She also provides a small themed goodie bag for each kid. My DS was interested in the Dinosaurs and they are actually discontinued and on clearance right now, so that is perfect for us. The Dinos with a shirt (which teh kids will decorate at the party) and everything else comes out to about $16 a kid. I like the idea that the kids get to take home something half decent rather than a bag of junk. I was planning on doing 1-2 other activities with the kids as well (dino egg hunt and fossil dig) plus cake and presents. Should hopefully fill a 2 hour party!


The links you posted are a great idea too! Thanks. If the dinos weren't on clearance I would seriously consider that option! We also looked into a local inflatable/bounce place, but they wanted $255+ tax for the party and that included no food/snacks or goodie bags. Just the jumping for 1 hour, drinks, and party room for 45 minutes. We only have 10 kids coming so that was way too pricey!

 

[dancin'girl]

The party was last year, so maybe they have improved things or maybe your Noah's Ark rep. is just more enthusiastic than the one we had! With the games and the goody bags, it sounds like a much better deal! And with the dinos on clearance I would definitely go for it! I also love the sound of the egg hunt and fossil dig! How cool!

 

[Julie072508]

I'm actually a Noah's Ark rep in the Reading Area and have been for 4 years. You will be very pleased w/the animals!! The dinosaurs are awesome!!

The party leader you booked the workshop w/ is a team member that I work very closely w/and she will do an AWESOME job! You will be extremely pleased!

 

[StephMK]

We had one for DD's party when she was 6, after she went to a friend's and loved it. I think the animals are a very similar quality to BAB, we were happy. I do think the party atmosphere is all how the rep makes it. I had some other games planned like pin the bow on the bear, etc. and DD was very happy.

Dinos sound fun, hope your DS has a great party!

 

[mousebymarriage]

I have never used them personally but, up until 16 months ago I owned a Children's Birthday Party company (not affiliated with Noahs Ark) we were similar to Build a Bear but came to your home or party location. My company no longer exists because my business partner developed a drug problem so I dissolved the corporation before she could destroy it (long story).

Anyway, I have heard about Noahs Ark and it has always been positive. From what I have heard they are a good company with well trained reps. and the quality of their merchandise is excellent. The previous poster that had a bad experience may have just had a bad rep or one that was just having an off day.

 

[mejkjj97]

My DD got a bear foe xmas from Noah's Arc. I like how the bear fastens close and the quality is really nice. I can't tell you about the parties but we like the bear